Written by Nicole Harrison
Whether you’re moving a mere five miles down the road or two thousand miles across the country, anytime you move into a new state classifies as an interstate move. Interstate moves are handled a bit differently than a local or intrastate (moving within your current state) move. To ensure you are adequately prepared for your move, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about interstate moves.
How does my estimate work?
For most interstate moves, an in-home consultant will come to your home and assess your items to provide the most accurate estimate for you. If you live more than 50 miles from the franchise that is moving you, you can sign a waiver in place of an in-home consultant’s visit. Be sure you are prepared to tell your estimator about additional storage spaces, like an attic, shed, or storage unit, as these areas can be easily forgotten and make a big difference in the time and cost of your move if they are not accounted for in the initial estimate.
There are two types of estimates our franchises can give for interstate moves.
Binding estimate – guarantees total cost of the move based upon quantities and services shown on the estimate, which is based on completion of an in-home consultant.
Non-binding estimate – what the franchise believes the total cost will be for the move, based upon both the estimated weight or volume of the shipment, additional services requested, and the in-home consultant’s evaluation. The final charges will be based upon the actual weight of the customer’s belongings and the franchise’s tariff provisions.
The initial estimate our customers receive includes full value protection for belongings being moved, but there are also other valuation options the customer can declare in writing.
What can I expect from my movers?
We will go anywhere in the country and will never combine customers’ loads without their permission. We provide an expedited service with timely pickup, on-time deliveries, and no storage-in-transit or planned stops along the way.
Are there regulations I need to be aware of?
The number of hours drivers can work in a day are federally regulated. Drivers are not permitted to drive more than 11 hours and work more than 14 hours in one day. Depending on how large your move is and how far away your new house is, your move may take more than one day to complete.
Our consumers are protected under the Consumer Rights and Responsibilities for Household Goods. Visit Federal Motor Carrier Society Administration’s webpage linked above to learn more about the rights you have as a customer of an interstate move.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has a 96 percent referral rate. To keep our customers calm and educated throughout the sometimes stressful moving process, we are as transparent as we can be and encourage them to become familiar with various regulations we need to abide by.
What is valuation and do I need it for my move?
Valuation is an estimate of an item’s worth, and is different than insurance. The initial estimate you receive will cover the value of your items at the time of your move, which is also known as full value protection.
In some cases, franchises may offer a deductible valuation option. In that case, you will pay a deductible before the franchise pays the full value of the item.
Finally, customers can select a .60 cent/lb. valuation. You may think this valuation is a reasonable option for your belonging, but it can be misleading at times. If you many light weight, valuable items, this valuation will not be the ideal option for your important items
It’s a good idea to understand what coverage includes before settling on a valuation plan. We urge our customers to look through their homeowners and renters insurance to see if their insurance plan covers their belongings while they are in transit. Ultimately this is your decision, but we encourage our customers to spend time thinking about the options. If you choose to select the deductible valuation or the .60 cents/lb. valuation options, your estimate will go down, but so does the coverage.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is a professional moving company with 30 years of moving and packing experience. We provide custom moving and packing plans to meet all of our customers’ needs. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward during this stressful life event. For more moving and packing information, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our blog.
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